>Is it my imagination, or has the number of sign-ups dropped dramatically since introducing the £6 fee? I don't know, I think the reaction to the last one was

>Is it my imagination, or has the number of sign-ups dropped dramatically since introducing the £6 fee? I don't know, I think the reaction to the last one was that the speakers didn't really provide anything of use for most of the audience just sadly weren't interesting enough. Whilst it is easy for me to be an armchair critic in the audience I do remember remarking at one point that we were witnessing the worst, most boring explanation of hill climbing / optimisation I've ever seen. It was sufficiently lacking in background to be of no merit to someone who'd never come accross the concept before, but far too basic for anyone who had. I appreciate the guest speakers don't get paid, but I know I wasn't alone in finding them a distraction from talking and drinking with the interesting people in attendance. I can't imagine a £6 fee would put people off, most would have paid that just to travel there.